Refrigerator and Freezer Tips

Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full but not overcrowded.

Arrange contents in a way that allows air to circulate.

Keep the freezer full by filling plastic milk bottles with water.

Make sure refrigerator and freezer doors fit tightly. If they don't, adjust or replace gaskets. Here is a simple test: Shut the door on a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar out easily, the gasket is not sealing properly. Try this at several locations around the door to check for uneven seal.

Don't open the doors unnecessarily.

If you're going away, remove perishable food from the refrigerator and turn the thermostat up a few degrees.

Don't put uncovered liquids in the refrigerator. They force the unit to work harder to remove the moisture.

Let cooked food cool to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator.

Don't put foil on the refrigerator shelves. It blocks cold airflow and makes the unit work harder to cool food.

Don't locate the refrigerator or freezer near the stove, dishwasher or other heat-producing appliances.

Don't locate the refrigerator in direct sunlight.

Set your refrigerator thermostat at 40° and your freezer at 0°.

If your refrigerator has an "efficiency" setting, make sure it is on. This will reduce the number of hours the unit needs to run.

Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator.

Clean dust from refrigerator coils.

Don't store paper bags or anything else behind the refrigerator. They can cut airflow to the coils, making the refrigerator work harder.